Orthodontic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for applying orthodontic brackets to teeth, including a container for housing said brackets in a predetermined position and/or orientation, a release mechanism for selectively releasing a bracket from the container to a bracket placer for applying the  5  bracket directly to a tooth.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing, preservingand marketing, in proper hygienic conditions, orthodontic brackets andother consumer materials necessary for the application of orthodonticappliances to the teeth.

Orthodontic appliances are commonly used to align and or rotate theteeth to the correct position. Orthodontic brackets or braces,(hereinafter referred to as brackets), are applied on the teeth tosupport and direct the necessary corrective force and torque actions.The common procedure to apply the brackets starts with the eroding ofeach tooth surface on which the brackets will be applied by means of anacid substance. After the relevant time the acid is removed, usually bymeans of air-water blasts, and then the teeth are ready for applicationof the brackets. The brackets are applied one at a time and eachindividual bracket is removed by means of tweezers from a container orthe like, in which the brackets are stored loose, so that using thetweezers or the like, each individual bracket has first to be rotatedand/or positioned appropriately in order to be grabbed by the tweezersor the like. At this point, using separate glue dispensers or the like,glue is applied to the bracket and then the bracket is applied andproperly positioned on the tooth. The same procedure is followed foreach individual bracket and once all are applied on all the designatedteeth, they are connected together by means of metallic wire or the likeprovided for the purpose, placing and fixing the wire on the bracketseats to generate the desired corrective force and torque actions on theteeth.

Conventional instruments, however, have their respective drawbacks.Instruments such as tweezers for handling and placing the bracket,air-water syringes for cleaning the tooth's surface, little brushes forapplying the acid and the glue, and the like instruments, entail muchtime, cost and trouble to perform the bracket application, causing muchinconvenience to the patient and to both the doctor and his/herassistants. This is mainly due to the manual skills, work effort and lowefficiency that are implied with the existing instruments. There is ahigh risk that a bracket may be accidentally dropped with consequentloss, increased bracket handling, impaired cleanliness and time lost ingeneral.

For example, when a bracket is to be pulled out from the bracketcontainer and applied on the designated tooth, it is difficult to grab,hold and pull out each individual bracket as well as to release andplace it on the designated tooth. This occurs as a consequence of havingbrackets housed within a container or the like with no specific positionand orientation and having instruments such as tweezers, bracketcontainers and the like, which are all separate and individualinstruments. In this case, there is the above mentioned risk with therelated consequences and also a statement of fact that existinginstruments and the like are not user-friendly and do not allow anypossible automation of the bracket application on the teeth.

The conventional method is based on a variety of many elementaryinstruments, and the like as above mentioned, and is also based on manycontainers, dispensers, and the like, for brackets and consumermaterials. This means that, to apply the brackets to the teeth, muchtime is required and there is also an increased risk of each individualbracket being dropped during the various phases and passages before itis finally applied on the teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in consideration of the above mentionedproblems and is embodied in apparatus to house the brackets andpreferably all other consumer materials as are necessary, and toautomatically or semi-automatically release brackets from a bracketcontainer and to apply and position them on the teeth with highaccuracy, a good degree of reliability and in a low time-consumingfashion.

In order to alleviate the above-mentioned problems, according to a firstaspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for applyingorthodontic brackets to teeth, including a container for housing saidbrackets in a predetermined position and/or orientation, a releasemechanism for selectively releasing a bracket from the container to abracket placer for applying the bracket directly to a tooth.

The bracket container is designed to house the brackets, preferably in aset position and orientation so that release of the brackets from thecontainer is facilitated and is more controlled. This is in contrast toprior art in which loose brackets must be individually retrieved from acontainer causing the problems outlined above. The bracket placerobviates the need for tweezers and other instruments as the apparatusenables a bracket to be automatically or semi-automatically transferredfrom the container to a tooth without need for a user to arrange thecorrect position and/or orientation for each bracket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises retaining means forretaining the brackets in the container so as to retain the brackets insaid predetermined position and/or orientation until they areselectively released from the container. This means that the alignmentof the brackets remaining within the container is not disrupted by oneof the brackets being released for application to a tooth.

Preferably, said container is loadable with said brackets one by one or,alternatively, by means of a pre-loaded cartridge containing apredetermined number of brackets.

In a preferred form, said release mechanism includes means for isolatingone of said brackets from the others, and means for pushing saidisolated bracket along a trajectory to reach said bracket placer. Inparticular, said retaining means can be adapted to simultaneously retainthe other brackets, in order to retain them inside the container.

In one embodiment, said release mechanism releases the brackets, in use,sequentially from said container along a substantially linear or acurvilinear trajectory. Advantageously, said container is substantiallylinear or curvilinear and wherein the brackets are biased forwardly by aspring or the like against the extremities of a first pair of rods sothat said brackets are aligned on a substantially linear or curvilineartrajectory and are retained in said predetermined position and/ororientation until selectively released from the container. Furthermore,said release mechanism may include a push button, wherein application offorce to the push button causes deformation of said first pair of rodsand outward movement of the extremities thereof so as to permit passageof a bracket therethrough. Preferably, said retaining means comprises asecond pair of rods on which said push button is mounted and theapplication of force to the push button causes inward movement of saidsecond pair of rods so as to limit forward movement of the bracketsbehind the bracket currently being released.

In an alternative embodiment, said release mechanism releases thebrackets radially, in use, sequentially from said container. Preferablysaid container is rotary and each bracket is independently housed in arespective slot (A-J), each bracket being retained in place by theextremities of a pair of rods and retained in said predeterminedposition and/or orientation until selectively released from thecontainer. Advantageously, said apparatus further comprises a wheelwhich cooperates, in use, with said container so as to rotate thecontainer in order to align a bracket slot (A-J) with said releasemechanism. Further preferably, said release mechanism includes a pushbutton, wherein application of force to the push button causesdeformation of one of said pairs of rods and outward movement of theextremities thereof so as to permit passage of a bracket therethrough.

Preferably, said release mechanism and said bracket placer are part of asingle device.

In a further preferred form, said container is part of said singledevice.

Alternatively, said container is separate from said single device. Inthis embodiment, preferably, the separate container includes means forstoring each individual bracket, in an orientation ready for interfacingwith said bracket placer, in use, and so that each bracket may beretrieved independently from the container by the bracket placer.Preferably, the brackets can be stored in a matrix formation.

In a preferred form, the apparatus further comprises a glue dispenserdevice for applying glue components to a bracket surface. Preferably,said glue dispenser device comprises a glue reservoir (18), a watertightpiston (17), a nozzle (23) and/or a glue pad (19) and a push button (16)for pushing, in use, the glue through the nozzle (23) and/or the gluepad (19) so as to apply glue to a surface of a bracket (7).

In one embodiment, said glue dispenser device is part of said separatecontainer and whereby, in use, glue can be applied to a bracketautomatically upon retrieval of said bracket from the container.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a position-adjusting devicefor adjusting the position and/or orientation of a bracket beforeapplying it to a tooth. In a preferred form, said position-adjustingdevice comprises at least one spacer (8), which is designed to contactan edge of a tooth so that it is possible to apply a bracket (7) to thetooth at a set distance from the edge of said tooth.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided acontainer for use in apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphsincluding means for storing each individual bracket, in an orientationready for interfacing with said bracket placer, in use, and so that eachbracket may be retrieved independently from the container by the bracketplacer.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided adisposable bracket applicator kit containing all apparatus necessary forthe storage and application of brackets, the apparatus being asdescribed in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided adisposable bracket applicator kit including a container for housing saidbrackets in a predetermined position and/or orientation, a releasemechanism for selectively releasing a bracket from the container, abracket placer for applying the bracket directly to a tooth, and one ormore of the following:

-   -   a retaining means for retaining the brackets in the container so        as to retain the brackets in said predetermined position and/or        orientation until they are selectively released from the        container;    -   means for isolating one of said brackets from the others, and        means for pushing said isolated bracket along a trajectory to        reach said bracket placer;    -   a glue dispenser device for applying glue components to a        bracket surface;    -   a position-adjusting device for adjusting the position and/or        orientation of a bracket before applying it to a tooth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the pre sent invention willbecome clear from the following description, given by way of exampleonly and with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout whichlike parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a section view of a first embodiment of the apparatus havinga linear bracket container and container dispenser device.

FIG. 1B is a section view of a second embodiment the apparatus having arotary bracket container and container dispenser device

FIG. 2A is a section view of the apparatus of the first embodimentshowing the brackets housed in the bracket container and thecontainer-dispenser device.

FIG. 2B is a section view orthogonal with respect to the section in FIG.2A, and including the glue-dispenser device and the clamping releasingdevice.

FIG. 2C is a section view orthogonal with respect to the section in FIG.2B, also including the glue dispenser device and the clamping releasingdevice.

FIG. 2D is a section view of the apparatus of the first embodimentshowing the brackets housed in the bracket container and a bracket inthe bracket placer device ready to be applied on the tooth.

FIG. 2E is a front view of the apparatus of the first embodiment showinga bracket held by the bracket placer device.

FIG. 3A is a section view of the apparatus of the second embodimentshowing the brackets housed in the bracket container and a bracket inthe bracket placer device ready to be applied on the tooth.

FIG. 3B is a section view orthogonal with respect to the section in FIG.3A also including the glue dispenser device.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the apparatus of the second embodimentshowing a bracket held by the bracket placer device.

FIG. 3D is a schematic view illustrating a scheme for loading acartridge for the second embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a section view of the apparatus of the third embodimentshowing the bracket in a bracket placer device ready to be applied onthe tooth.

FIG. 4B is a section view orthogonal with respect to the section in FIG.4A also including the position adjusting device.

FIG. 4C is a section view of the apparatus of the third embodimentincluding a patterned bracket container (in which brackets can be storedin an ordered formation, such as a matrix formation) and also showingthe glue dispenser device.

FIG. 4D is a front view of the apparatus of the third embodiment showinga bracket held by the bracket placer device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter embodiments of the invention will be described, by way ofexample, referring to the appended drawings.

An overview of embodiments of the present invention will first be given,before a more detailed description thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

The apparatus of the invention is apparatus for applying orthodonticbrackets to the teeth, generically referred to below as an “automaticbracket placer”. The apparatus is preferably provided with a chassis anda plurality of “devices”, hereinafter described in more detail, andwhich include a “container-dispenser device”, a “clamping-releasingdevice”, a “bracket placer device”, a “glue dispenser device”, a“position adjusting device”, and a “cartridge”.

The chassis is also the casing of the automatic bracket placer and isdesigned to house the above-mentioned devices and allow them to work andfunctionally interface as necessary.

The container-dispenser device houses the brackets, maintaining them ina constant position and orientation so that, when required, they can beeasily moved, held, blocked (retained) and released automatically orsemi automatically by means of the relevant device. Moreover, thecontainer-dispenser device has a retaining means function to block orretain the brackets so that they constantly maintain the same positionand orientation and they cannot inadvertently exit the bracketcontainer. In addition, upon demand, the container-dispenser deviceallows a repeated automatic or semi-automatic release of brackets to thebracket placer device maintaining constantly the same orientation andposition, in a sequence one by one.

The container-dispenser device may be referred to as “linear” in anembodiment where the brackets are housed and released in a sequence fromthe bracket container along a straight or a curvilinear trajectory. Thecontainer-dispenser device may be alternatively referred to as “rotary”in an embodiment where the brackets are housed and radially released.Alternatively the container-dispenser device may be partially linearand/or rotary.

Independently from the fact that the container-dispenser device may belinear, rotary or partially linear and/or rotary, thecontainer-dispenser device may be referred to as “mobile” in anembodiment where the device moves relative to the chassis so that uponactivating the clamping-releasing device, the brackets move jointly withthe container-dispenser device. Alternatively, the device may bereferred to as “fixed” in an embodiment where the device does not moverelative to the chassis so that upon activating the clamping-releasingdevice, the brackets move relative to the container-dispenser device.

The brackets may be loaded one by one into the container-dispenserdevice or, alternatively, by means of a cartridge pre-loaded with thenecessary brackets and intended to be directly plugged into thecontainer-dispenser device or, in an embodiment where the cartridge isused as the container-dispenser device itself, directly into theautomatic bracket placer. The cartridge may house the brackets in alinear, rotary, or partially linear and/or rotary manner in accordanceto the above definitions for the container-dispenser device.

In an embodiment where the bracket container is a separate part from theautomatic bracket placer, the bracket container maintains the samefunctionalities described above in relation to the container-dispenserdevice. Therefore, the bracket container houses the brackets maintainingthem in a proper position and orientation so that, when requested, theycan be easily moved, held, blocked and released automatically orsemi-automatically by means of the relevant device. Moreover, when theautomatic bracket placer is not in use, the bracket container blocks thebrackets so that they constantly maintain the same position andorientation and they cannot move from the bracket container. Inaddition, when required, the bracket container releases the bracketsautomatically or semi automatically to devices of the automatic bracketplacer such as the bracket placer device hereinafter described, or thelike, releasing the brackets with the proper orientation and position,in a sequence one by one any time an input is given to theclamping-releasing device as hereinafter described.

The bracket container may house the brackets in a linear, rotary, orpartially linear and/or rotary manner in accordance with the abovedefinitions for the container-dispenser device. In addition the bracketcontainer may be intended and hereinafter mentioned as “patterned” in anembodiment where the brackets are stored in the bracket container in anordered formation on a surface such as a matrix formation or the like,so that each bracket may be released from the bracket containerindependently from the others.

Upon receiving an input, the clamping-releasing device releases thebrackets from the container-dispenser device in the proper orientation,in a sequence one by one, automatically or semi automatically to thebracket placer device hereinafter described. In the embodiment where thebracket container is a separate part from the automatic bracket placer,this means that the container-dispenser device and theclamping-releasing device are part of the bracket container and thebracket placer device is part of the automatic bracket placer. In anycase the clamping-releasing device is designed to isolate one bracketand simultaneously to hold or retain the others so that they cannotinadvertently exit the container-dispenser device or the container. Theclamping-releasing device is also designed to push the isolated bracketalong a trajectory to reach the bracket placer device with the correctorientation and position.

The input signal may be given for instance by means of a pushing button,a wheel or any other kind of electrical or mechanical switch able toactivate the clamping-releasing device by means of finger pressure or anelectrical signal. The clamping-releasing device, by means of a barrier,supplies a bracket isolating it from the others so that it may be movedby means of a releasing force or releasing torque acting in order tomove the bracket to the bracket placer device. The blocking action,generated by the clamping-releasing device on the other brackets inorder to keep them in the container-dispenser device or in the bracketcontainer while the first mentioned bracket is being released, may beobtained for instance by means of the same above mentioned barrier sothat it may block the brackets and not let them move or just close theexit of the container-dispenser device or of the bracket container. Thebarrier is designed to generate an equal and opposite reaction to opposethe releasing force or torque on the brackets which are not to bereleased. The barrier may also be designed to isolate the brackets fromthe action of the releasing force or the releasing torque. The term“barrier” is intended to be generic and it may be made of any materialsuitable for the above mentioned purposes, even including the case whereit may be accomplished partially or totally by using one of thebrackets. Moreover, to avoid the use of a physical object, the barrieraction may be accomplished by means of electromagnetic forces, magneticforces or equivalent. In addition the barrier may be accomplished bymeans of combinations of the above-mentioned solutions. The barrier maybe fixed or it may be removable and act only when an input is given tothe clamping-releasing device. Forces and torques in general, actingupon the given input and operating on the bracket to be supplied and/oron the other brackets being held in the container-dispenser device or inthe bracket container, may be generated by means of finger pressure orby means of electrical motors or may be obtained because, upon the giveninput, elastic deformation energy is released from a componentpreviously pre-compressed or pre-tensioned such as, for instance,springs, elastic materials in general, inflatable components or thelike, or by means of pressurized liquid or a gas, or these forces ortorques may be generated by means of electromagnetic forces, magneticforces in general, or these forces and torques may be obtained by meansof combinations of the above. Moreover these forces or torques may actdirectly on the brackets and/or on the barrier or these forces ortorques may act indirectly on the brackets and/or on the barrier bymeans of gearings, cams, pistons, belts, chains, levers, or theircombinations or any transmission or drive suitable for this purposeavailable at the moment from existing technical know how.

The bracket placer device is designed to securely hold the bracketpreviously received from the clamping-releasing device in order not toallow it to move or in any case not to let it exit the automatic bracketplacer until an input is given to the bracket placer device. That inputis to allow the bracket placer device to release the bracket from theautomatic bracket placer with the proper orientation and position sothat the bracket can be correctly applied on the tooth with the correctorientation and position and caused to stay there by means of gluepreviously applied on the bracket by means of the glue dispenser devicehereinafter described. The input signal may be given for instance bymeans of a pushing button, a wheel or any other electrical or mechanicalswitch able to activate the bracket placer device by means of fingerpressure or an electrical signal. To securely hold the bracket theaction of the hereinafter mentioned blocking forces or blocking torquesmay be used to securely hold and not let the bracket move relative tothe bracket placer device itself. The blocking forces and blockingtorques in general may be generated by means of finger pressure or bymeans of electrical motors or may be obtained because an elasticdeformation energy is released from a component previously precompressed or pre-tensioned such as, for instance, springs, elasticmaterials in general, inflatable components or other equivalents, or bymeans of a pressurized liquid or gas, or these forces or torques may begenerated by means of electromagnetic forces, magnetic forces ingeneral, or these blocking forces and torques may be obtained by meansof combinations of the above. Moreover these blocking forces or torquesmay act directly on the bracket or these forces or torques may actindirectly on the bracket by means of gearings, cams, pistons, belts,chains, levers, or their combinations or other transmission or drivemeans suitable for this purpose available at the moment from existingtechnical know how.

The bracket release action from the bracket placer device occurs when aninput is given to the bracket placer device in order to stop the actionof the blocking forces or torques or in order to activate thehereinafter mentioned relief forces or torques which action is equal andopposite to the blocking forces or torques. The relief forces ortorques, acting upon the given input may be generated by means of fingerpressure or by means of electrical motors or may be obtained because,upon the given input, an elastic deformation energy is released from acomponent previously pre-compressed or pretensioned such as, forinstance, springs, elastic materials in general, inflatable componentsor other equivalents, or by means of a pressurized liquid or gas.Alternatively, these forces or torques may be generated by means ofelectromagnetic forces, magnetic forces in general, or these forces andtorques may be obtained by means of combinations of the above. Moreoverthese relief forces or torques may act directly on the brackets or theseforces or torques may act indirectly on the brackets by means ofgearings, cams, pistons, belts, chains, levers, or their combinations orother transmission or drive means suitable for this purpose available atthe moment from existing technical know how. The action of the blockingforces or torques may be eventually cancelled by means of an obstaclewhich may be moved to the proper position for this function when theinput is given. The obstacle is designed to generate forces and torquesequal and against the blocking forces or torques or designed to isolatethe bracket from the action of the blocking forces or torques. The term“obstacle” is intended to be generic and it may be made of any materialsuitable for the above-mentioned purposes, even including the case whereit may be accomplished partially or totally by one of the brackets.Moreover, to avoid the use of a physical object, the obstacle action maybe accomplished by means of electromagnetic forces, magnetic forces orequivalent. In addition the obstacle may be accomplished by means ofcombinations of the above-mentioned solutions.

The obstacle may be fixed relative to the chassis and, in this case, theaction of the obstacle is always active but when the bracket placerdevice moves upon the input so as to release the bracket or the obstaclemay be removable relative to the chassis so as to have it acting onlywhen an input is given to the bracket placer device by pushing theobstacle into the proper position for this function. To push theobstacle, a pushing force may be used or torques generated by means offinger pressure or by means of electrical motors or may be obtainedbecause upon the given input an elastic deformation energy is releasedfrom a component previously pre-compressed or pre-tensioned such as, forinstance, springs, elastic materials in general, inflatable componentsor the like, or by means of a liquid or a gas are put in high or lowpressure. Alternatively, these forces or torques may be generated bymeans of electromagnetic forces, magnetic forces in general, or theseforces and torques may be obtained by means of combinations of theabove. Moreover these forces or torques may act directly on the obstacleor these forces or torques may act indirectly on the obstacle by meansof gearings, cams, pistons, belts, chains, levers, or their combinationsor transmission or drive suitable for this purpose available at themoment from the existing technical know how.

The glue dispenser device is designed to apply, upon a given input, allor a part of the glue components onto the relevant bracket surface asare required to affix the bracket on the tooth. While in use, the gluedispenser device, the glue components and the glue containers anddispensers, may be included within and as part of the automatic bracketplacer. The glue may be applied for instance by means of pads, eachsoaked with its own specific glue component, or the glue may be appliedby means of nozzles, each one releasing its own specific glue component.The glue components are preserved in suitable conditions, each one inits own container or dispenser and may be released upon an input bypushing these components to the pads or nozzles. This pushing force maybe obtained by increasing the pressure in the container by means of ainternal volume shrinkage of the container itself. Each glue containermay be made in any way so long as it allows such internal volumeshrinkage for instance by using elastic or plastic deformable materialsas the container material. Alternatively this internal volume shrinkagemay be obtained by means of suitable devices such as pistons based onthe same principle or by means of suction or introducing into thecontainer a pressurized gas or liquid so to push out each gluecomponent. The internal volume shrinkage may be obtained by means of theaction of forces or torques generated themselves by means of fingerpressure or by means of electrical motors or may be obtained becauseupon the given input an elastic deformation energy is released from acomponent previously pre-compressed or pre-tensioned such as, forinstance, springs, elastic materials in general or the like, inflatablecomponents or the like, or by means of a pressurized liquid or gas.Alternatively, these forces or torques may be generated by means ofelectromagnetic forces, magnetic forces in general, or these forces andtorques may be obtained by means of combinations of the above. Moreoverthese forces or torques may act directly on the glue containers or theseforces or torques may act indirectly on the glue containers by means ofgearings, cams, pistons, belts, chains, levers, or their combinations ortransmission or drive means suitable for this purpose available at themoment from existing technical know how.

The position-adjusting device is designed to easily adjust the positionof a bracket as it is being applied on a tooth. This device may act atthe same time a bracket is released from the bracket placer device ontothe tooth or this device may be used soon after the bracket has beenapplied on the tooth so as to finally adjust the position andorientation. In any case the purpose of this device is to give thecorrect bracket orientation and position, for instance by means of aspacer. The device may be in function only when requested, in responseto an input or it may be constantly in function.

Moreover the glue dispenser device, the position-adjusting device, andthe cartridge may be optional and other additional devices and consumermaterials may be included, if desired, for the bracket application onthe teeth. When one or more of the above mentioned devices are not used,they may be partially or totally removed from the automatic bracketplacer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the automatic bracket placer ispre-packed i.e. already filled with brackets and any other consumermaterials which are preserved there in sterile conditions, distributedand marketed with the automatic bracket placer. The automatic bracketplacer may be provided sterile and pre-packed with the bracket containeralready filled with brackets or the bracket container may be refillablewith brackets or it may be refillable by means of a sterile pre-packedcartridge containing all necessary brackets. Alternatively, the bracketcontainer may not even be included in the automatic bracket placer andmay be supplied as a separate part until finally used for the bracketapplication so that this results in a faster, precise, practical,hygienic operation, eliminating or highly reducing the risk of droppingthe brackets and/or physically manipulating them, thus avoiding theconsequent time and bracket loss as well. The automatic bracket placermay be pre packed and already filled with brackets and other consumermaterials so that all are provided in a single disposable kit suitablefirstly, as a container for brackets, glue and any other consumermaterials and so suitable for distributing and marketing such materialsand secondly, the automatic bracket placer may be suitable to performthe bracket application. The automatic bracket placer may even be reusedmore times than intended as refillable, eventually by means of cartridgeor cartridges, of brackets and/or any other consumer materials so thateach of these cartridges are provided in a single disposable kitsuitable firstly, as a container for brackets, glue and any otherconsumer materials and so suitable for distributing and marketing suchmaterials and secondly, the cartridges may be suitable as refills forthe automatic bracket placer for the bracket application.

In accordance with the apparatus and the above described devices, it ispossible to have the brackets successively supplied in a sequence, oneby one, automatically or semi-automatically from the bracket container,with the proper orientation and position and with glue already appliedon them by means of the glue dispenser device. This means that thebrackets can be easily and quickly moved from the bracket container tothe bracket placer device which is also a part of the automatic bracketplacer and securely held there until they are easily and quicklyreleased and applied to the teeth, resulting in a fast and securebracket application.

In accordance with the apparatus, only one instrument is necessary forboth storing and applying the brackets, thus simplifying the procedure.This means that manual handling of the brackets is avoided as well asthe use of unnecessary additional instruments. The risk of dropping thebrackets is eliminated or highly reduced since they are preserved insterile conditions in the automatic bracket placer and from theredirectly applied onto the teeth.

In the embodiment wherein the bracket container is a separate part fromthe automatic bracket placer, a fast and secure bracket applicationstill results. Only the bracket container and the automatic bracketplacer are necessary for both storing and for applying the brackets thusmaintaining the above mentioned advantages.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be more particularlydescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E illustrate a first embodiment of theinvention.

An apparatus in accordance with the above definition of a “linear”bracket container is accomplished in the first embodiment. The apparatuscontains the brackets and consumer materials such as the glue andautomatically or semi-automatically releases the brackets from thebracket container and applies and positions then on the teeth with highaccuracy, a high degree of reliability and in a non time-consumingmanner by means of the hereinafter described devices.

The chassis (1) is also the casing of the automatic bracket placer andis designed to house the devices (described below), allowing them towork and fuctionally interface as necessary. The chassis (1) includesparts of other devices for which explanation will be given below whenthe devices are mentioned.

The container-dispenser device is shown in FIG. 2A and comprises thechassis (1), the rods (6), (9), the piston (2) and the spring (14). Thisdevice also serves as the bracket container and it may therefore benoted that, in this embodiment, the container dispenser device includesthe bracket container. In accordance with the above definitions, thebracket container and consequently the container-dispense device, islinear and is also fixed. Moreover, the brackets (7) are housed withinthe container-dispenser device and they cannot exit due to the fact thatthe chassis (1), as shown in FIG. 2A, allows the brackets to slide onlyin one direction which is blocked on one side by means of the presenceof a barrier made by the rods (6) and (9) and blocked on the oppositeside by the compressing action of the piston (2) biased by the spring(14). In this way, the brackets are aligned on a substantially lineartrajectory constantly maintaining this position and orientation. Inaddition, since the brackets (7) are housed in the container-dispenserdevice with the desired proper orientation and position, they can easilybe moved, held, blocked and released automatically or semi-automaticallyby means of other devices hereinafter described.

The clamping-releasing device comprises the push buttons (3) and (12),the rods (5), (6), (9), (10), each with an extreme constrained to thechassis and able to bend, since they are made of elastic material, thefulcrums (4) and (11), the piston (2), the spring (1m 4), the mechanicalendstop (19), the aligners (20) and the little hooks (24) and (25).Referring to FIG. 2C and assuming that the brackets are housed in thebracket container as shown in FIG. 2A, it may be noted that giving aninput by simultaneously pushing the buttons (3) and (12), the rods (5)and (10) do not interfere on the brackets since these rods, as shown inFIG. 2C, are held by means of the little hooks (24) and (25), and therods (6) and (9) bend so that their free extremes move away one fromeach other leaving the bracket to move to the mechanical endstop (19) bymeans of the pushing action of the piston (2) due to the compressedspring (14) so that a generic bracket (7) always achieves the defaultposition and orientation as shown in FIG. 2C. After that, upon releasingthe push buttons (3) and (12), the rods (6) and (9) are allowed toreturn back to their original position so that these mentioned rods holdand block the bracket as shown in FIG. 2C and, in addition, that abovementioned bracket, does not allow any other bracket housed into thecontainer-dispenser device, to move and exit since that bracket acts asan obstacle which action is against the pushing action of the spring(14). The aligners (20) maintain the alignment and allow the assemblymade by the parts (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (23), (24), (25) tofunctionally interface with the rest of the automatic bracket placer andto allow this mentioned assembly to be, when it is used, as a singlepart with the automatic bracket placer. This assembly has to be takenoff to physically separate it from the rest of the automatic bracketplacer once the clamping-releasing device action is no longer necessary.

In this embodiment, the bracket placer device comprises the pushbut-tons (3) and (12), the rods (5), (6), (9), (10) each with aconstrained extreme to the chassis and able to bend since they are madeof elastic material, the fulcrums (4) and (11), the little piston (2)and the spring (14). Referring to FIG. 2D, the bracket (7) is held andblocked by means of the rods (6) and (9) and any other bracket housedinto the bracket container maintains the proper position and orientationas long as necessary. As shown in FIG. 2D, it may be also noted thatgiving an input by simultaneously pushing buttons (3) and (12), thebracket next in position with respect to the one being held and blockedby the rods (6) and (9), is held and blocked by means of the other abovementioned rods (5) and (10). At the same time, the rods (6) and (9) bendso that their free extremes move away one from each other allowing thebracket to be released and be applied onto the tooth (0) by moving theautomatic bracket placer back from the tooth, constantly achieving thesame orientation and proper position for any bracket release. Moreover,at the same time, the bracket that is held and blocked by the rods (5)and (10), acts as an obstacle not allowing any other bracket to exit thecontainer-dispenser device. After that, releasing the push buttons (3)and (12), the spring (14) pushes the little piston (2) and the remainingbrackets against the rods (6) and (9) as shown in FIG. 2A so that it ispossible, according to the above description of the devices of the firstembodiment, to proceed with the application of the remaining brackets.

In this embodiment, the glue dispenser device includes glue containers(18), watertight pistons (17), nozzles (23), glue pad (19) and a pushbutton (16). As shown in FIG. 2C it may be noted that giving an input bypushing the button (16) the glue is pushed through the nozzles or theglue pad to reach the bracket (7) on the proper surface.

In this embodiment the position-adjusting device includes the chassis(1), the spacers (8) and the spring (13). As shown in FIG. 2D, it may benoted that the spacers (8) are designed to go to contact on the top ofthe tooth (0) so that it is possible to release the bracket on the toothat the proper distance from the top of the tooth itself. After that itis possible to use the position-adjusting device for adjusting thebracket into the desired is final position. Moreover, it may also benoted that, as shown in FIG. 2C, the position-adjusting device, due tothe action of the spring (13), may be pulled back into the chassis (1)by contact of the extreme of the spacer (8) against an object so as notto interfere with it when this device is not used or not necessary andthat the position-adjusting device may be deactivated by compressing thespring (13) so that the spacer (8) remains totally inside the automaticbracket placer.

The cartridge (26), housing the brackets, may be plugged into theautomatic bracket placer. As shown in FIG. 2B, pulling the hinged rod(22) rotates it so as to pull the cable (21). This action compresses thespring (14) by means of the little piston (2) so that the bracketcartridge slot of the automatic bracket placer can be fully opened andthe bracket cartridge can be plugged in. Once the cartridge is pluggedin, the rod (22) is rotated back to close the slot and the little piston(2) pushes the brackets by means of the spring (14), so that thebrackets are constantly biased in the proper position into the automaticbracket placer and, when requested, they may be easily moved, held andblocked, and released to the other devices as mentioned above. In thiscase, the cartridge functionally becomes part of the container-dispenserdevice of the automatic bracket placer as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and2D. Also note that for this embodiment the cartridge is linear inaccordance to the above given definition.

The necessary brackets may be supplied already housed in the automaticbracket placer ready to be used. Also note that, as described above forthe brackets, the automatic bracket placer may even have cartridges forthe glue to be plugged-in or it may be supplied with the glue containersalready filled up.

The first embodiment accomplishes with the above description, featuresand advantages of the apparatus given in the summary of the invention.

Furthermore the apparatus may be simplified and reduced in size,conforming with the bracket size, to easily fit into one's hand.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.

An apparatus in accordance to the previous definition of a rotarybracket container is accomplished in the second embodiment hereinafterdescribed and also referred to as an automatic bracket placer. Theapparatus contains the brackets and consumer materials such as the glueand automatically or semi-automatically releases the brackets from thebracket container and applies and positions them on the teeth with ahigh accuracy, degree of reliability and in a low time-consuming mannerby means of the hereinafter-described devices.

The chassis (3) is also the casing of the automatic bracket placer andis designed to house the devices (described below), allowing them towork and functionally interface as necessary. The chassis (3) includesparts of other devices for which explanation will be given below whenthe devices are mentioned.

The container dispenser device is shown in FIG. 3B and comprises achassis (3) and a bracket container (17) which includes also rods (8)and (10) and the like for each one of the bracket slots (A) to (J). FIG.3B shows also the bracket container function of this device and it maybe also noted that the bracket container is included in the automaticbracket placer. In accordance with the above definitions the bracketcontainer and consequently the device, is rotary and the device is alsomobile. Moreover, the brackets (9) are housed into thecontainer-dispenser device and they cannot exit since they are each heldand blocked into its own bracket slot by means of the rods such as (8)and (10) as is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B for the bracket slot (E).Moreover the brackets (9) are housed in the container-dispenser deviceso that they cannot exit due to the holding and blocking action of therods (8) and (10), and the like for each one of the bracket slots, sinceeach rod has a constrained extreme with respect to the chassis and isable to bend due to the fact that they are made of elastic material inorder to create at the other free extreme of the rod a sufficientpressure to hold and block each bracket. Note that the brackets areindependently housed in the bracket slots (A) to (J) of the bracketcontainer (17). The brackets, in this way, can be placed radially on acircumference constantly maintaining this position and orientation. Inaddition, with the brackets (9) housed in the container-dispenser devicewith the above mentioned proper orientation and position, they caneasily be moved, held, blocked and released automatically orsemi-automatically by means of other devices hereinafter described.

The clamping releasing device is accomplished by the small wheel (6)constrained to the bracket container (17) and the container-dispenserdevice described above for the second embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 3Aand 3C, it may be noted that giving an input by rotating the small wheel(6) also jointly rotates the bracket container (17) so that it ispossible to align a bracket slot housing its own bracket (9) with therods (7) and (12) as shown in FIG. 3B for the bracket slot (E). It maybe also noted that a bracket in the above mentioned position is alreadyinto the bracket placer device hereinafter described.

The bracket placer device is accomplished in the push buttons (5) and(13), the rods (7), (12), (8), (10) each one with a constrained extremeto the chassis and able to bend since they are made of elastic materialand the fulcrums (18) and (19). Referring to FIG. 3A, brackets are heldand blocked in each bracket slot by means of rods like (8) and (10) sothat the brackets maintain the proper position and orientation as longas necessary. As shown in FIG. 3A, it may be also noted that giving aninput by simultaneously pushing buttons (5) and (13), the rods (7) and(12) bend, in turn pushing respectively the rods (8) and (10). Moreover,rods (8) and (10) are more elastic than rods (7) and (12) so that theybend in order to move away their free extremes one from each other toallow the bracket to be released and applied on the tooth (0) by movingthe automatic bracket placer back from the tooth, constantly achievingthe same orientation and proper position for any bracket release.According to the description of the above mentioned devices of thesecond embodiment, is possible to rotate and align the next bracket slotof the bracket container (17) with the rods (7) and (12) of bracketplacer device in order to proceed further with the application of thenext bracket and in the same way to proceed further with the applicationof all the remaining brackets which are in the bracket container. Inaddition, according to the second embodiment, it may be noted that ispossible to independently apply each single bracket by rotating thesmall wheel (6) to align the chosen bracket slot with the rods (7) and(12) of the bracket placer device.

In this embodiment, the glue dispenser device comprises in the chassis(3), the push buttons (20) and (1), the water tight pistons (21) and(2), the glue containers (16) and (23), the nozzles (24) and (15) andthe glue pad (14). As shown in FIG. 3B, it may be noted that by pushingthe push button (1), the glue (16) passes through the nozzles (15) and,after that, through the glue pad (14) in order to reach the appropriatesurface of the bracket. In addition, upon pushing the push button (20),the glue (23) passes through the nozzle (24) in order to reach theappropriate surface of the bracket. Moreover, it may be noted that thepush buttons (1) and (20) may be implemented as just one push button sothat it is easier to push both of them at the same time. According tothe above-mentioned devices, rotating the small wheel (6) it is possibleto apply the glue (16) and (23) respectively on the next brackets. Ithas to be mentioned that the order for applying the glues depends ontheir chemical composition. In this embodiment first the glue (16) hasto be applied on the proper surface of the bracket and after that theglue (23) before placing the bracket on the tooth.

In this embodiment the position-adjusting device comprises the chassis(3) and the spacer (11) constrained to the chassis (3). As shown in FIG.3A, the spacer (11) is designed in order to go to contact the top of thetooth (0) so that it is possible to release the bracket on the tooth atthe proper distance from the top of the tooth itself. After that it ispossible to use the position-adjusting device for subsequently adjustingthe bracket to the final position.

The cartridge for the brackets may the bracket container (17) which alsoincludes the rods (8) and (10) and the like, for each one of the bracketslots (A) to (J), in order to house the necessary brackets each in itsown bracket slot. In this embodiment, according to the above givendefinition, the cartridge is rotary. Referring to FIG. 3A and assumingthat the above mentioned cartridge is not illustrated in the mentionedfigure, it may be noted that the cartridge may be loaded into theautomatic bracket placer by sliding it along the axis of the pushbuttons (1) to the position shown in FIG. 3A and there the cartridge maybe constrained to the small wheel (6), which in this case will include ashaft to reach over the other side of the chassis (3), by sliding italong the vertical axis of the cartridge as shown in FIG. 3A. Once thecartridge is plugged in, the brackets are therefore housed in the properposition in the automatic bracket placer and, when desired, they can beeasily moved, held and blocked, and released to the other devices asmentioned above. In this case the cartridge functionally becomes part ofthe container-dispenser device of the automatic bracket placer as shownin FIGS. 3A and 3B.

An alternative, according to the above given description and definitionsin the summary of the invention, the bracket container may be a separatepart from the automatic bracket placer and used as a bracket cartridgeto load the brackets into the automatic bracket placer as hereinafterdescribed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3D, it may be noted that,according to the above definitions, the cartridge is patterned and inthis case the brackets are placed into the cartridge on a surface and soas to constantly maintain the same position and orientation so that eachbracket is available to be independently released from the others. Inthis embodiment the brackets are housed on a planar surface and linearlyplaced as shown in FIG. 3D. Referring to the above-mentioned figure, thebracket container (17) can rotate in a synchronized manner keeping incontact with the cartridge which is fixed relative to the bracketcontainer (17). In this way the elastic rods (8) and (10) of the bracketslot (A), bend to clamp, hold and block the bracket into the slot (A)taking it out from the slot (a) of the cartridge where it was before.Continuing to rotate the container (17) the bracket from slot (b) of thecartridge is loaded in the same way into the slot (B) etc. In the sameway, bracket-by-bracket, all necessary brackets are loaded until thelast one is loaded into the last bracket slot of the container (17)that, in this case, is the slot (J).

The necessary brackets may be supplied already housed in the automaticbracket placer ready to be used. Also note that, as described above forthe brackets, the automatic bracket placer may even have cartridges forthe glue to be plugged in or it may be supplied with the glue containersalready filled up.

The second embodiment accomplishes with the above description, featuresand advantages of the apparatus which are given in the summary of theinvention.

Furthermore the apparatus may be simplified and reduced in size,conforming with the bracket size, to easily fit into one's hand.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate a third embodiment of the invention.

An apparatus in accordance to the previous given definition of a“patterned” bracket container is accomplished in the third embodiment.In this case the apparatus has two separate parts. The first part,hereinafter also referred to as a container, comprises the bracketcontainer including also the glue containers and the second part,hereinafter also referred to as an automatic bracket placer, comprisesall remaining parts of the apparatus. In this embodiment the containercontains the brackets and consumer materials such as the glue and tieautomatic bracket placer automatically or semi-automatically releasesthe brackets from the bracket container and applies and positions themon the teeth with a high accuracy, degree of reliability and lowtime-consuming by means of the hereinafter described devices.

The container-dispenser device is accomplished by a generic bracket slot(22) as shown in FIG. 4C and at the same time it is also the bracketcontainer. Moreover, the bracket container is made by as many bracketslots, such as the bracket slot (22) shown in FIG. 4C, as necessary,each one housing its own bracket (5). Each bracket (5) is maintainedinto the bracket container, constantly held and blocked with the sameposition and orientation as shown in FIG. 4C, and also maintained inhygienic and sterile conditions isolating the bracket slot from theexternal environment by means of a removable proper film or cover, whichis not shown in FIG. 4C, until the bracket is ready to be released. Inaddition, according to the above definitions, the container-dispenserdevice is patterned. It may be noted also that, when desired, thebracket may be pulled out from the bracket container by means of theautomatic bracket placer maintaining the proper position and orientationby means of the clamping releasing device hereinafter described.

The clamping releasing device comprises the bracket slot (22) includingalso the chassis (1), the aligners (15), (16) and the protrusions (17),(18), the piston (9) and the spring (10). Referring to FIG. 4C, thebracket is held and blocked, maintaining constantly and securely thesame position and orientation in the above mentioned bracket slot, bymeans of a mechanical interference between the bracket and the slot inwhich the bracket is housed. As shown in FIG. 4C, it may also be notedthat the bracket slot is shaped in order to create a proper interfacewith the automatic bracket placer. In this embodiment the aligners (15),(16) of the automatic bracket placer, interface with the protrusions(17), (18) of the bracket slot. Moreover, in this case the interfacefeature is achieved using a conical geometry but it may be any geometryor shape which allows it to interface and easily align the automaticbracket placer with a bracket slot. Referring to FIG. 4C, it may benoted that, due to the above mentioned interface feature, the rods (4)and (7) touch the bracket (5) simply by plugging the automatic bracketplacer into the bracket slot (22) so that, giving an input by pushingthe automatic bracket placer, since these rods are made of a properelastic material and have an extreme constrained to the chassis (1), therods (4) and (7) bend and follow the bracket profile going toautomatically hold and block the bracket as shown in FIG. 4C and inparticular in FIG. 4A where it may be noted how the rods (4) and (7)hold and block the bracket (5). Note that, when the automatic bracketplacer is plugged into the bracket slot, the bracket (5) pushes thepiston (9), which compresses the spring (10). Note also that, as shownin FIG. 4A, the compressed spring (10) pushes the bracket (5), by meansof the piston (9), against the extremes of the rods (4) and (7) in orderto securely hold and block the bracket. In addition, the piston (9) isblocked at one extreme to the spring (10) and the spring (10) is alsoblocked at the other extreme to the chassis (1) so that the piston (9)can slide but it cannot leave the automatic bracket placer. Note alsothat in this embodiment, when the bracket is held and blocked by meansof the rods (4) and (7), the bracket is also in the bracket placerdevice.

In this embodiment the glue dispenser device is shown in FIG. 4C and isaccomplished by the bracket slot (22), the watertight compartments (19)and (21) each one containing its own glue component and totally isolatedone form the other one by means of a membrane or a film (20). As shownin FIG. 4C, once the bracket is held and blocked by the rods (4) and(7), giving ;an input by pushing the automatic bracket placer into thebracket slot, the first membrane or film (20) of the glue compartment(21) breaks and releases the glue (21) onto the bracket surface. Uponcontinuing to push, the other membrane or film (20) of the gluecompartment (19) breaks and releases the other glue component (1 9) ontothe bracket surface.

The automatic bracket placer, in this embodiment, is accomplished by thechassis, the bracket placer device and the position adjusting devicethat are hereinafter described.

The chassis (1) is also the casing of the automatic bracket placer andis designed to house the devices (described below), allowing the m towork and functionally interface as necessary. The chassis ( 1) includesalso parts of other devices.

The bracket placer device is accomplished by the chassis (1), the pushbuttons (2) and (11), the rods (4), (7) each one with a constrainedextreme to the chassis and able to bend since are made of elasticmaterial, the fulcrums (3) and (8), the piston (9) and the spring (10).As shown in FIG. 4A, giving an input by pushing at the same time thebuttons (2) and (11) the free extremes of the rods (4) and (7) move awayone from each other allowing the bracket (5) to be released and beapplied on the tooth (0). Note also that the bracket release andapplication on the tooth is also facilitated by the pushing action ofpiston (9), obtained by means of the spring (10).

In this embodiment the position adjusting device comprises in thechassis (1), the spring (14), the blocking protrusion (13), the littlepiston (12) and the spacers (6). As shown in FIG. 4A, it may be notedthat the spacers (6) are designed in order to contact the top of thetooth (0) so that the bracket may be released onto the tooth at theproper distance from the top of the tooth itself. After that it ispossible to use the position-adjusting device for adjusting the bracketto the final position. Note also that, referring to FIG. 4A, due to theaction of the spring (14), the position adjusting device automaticallypulls back into the chassis (1) by pushing the top of the spacer (6)against other objects that may interfere with the spacer. In addition,it may be noted that when the position adjusting device is notnecessary, it may permanently be pulled back into the automatic bracketplacer and stay there as long as necessary by means of the blockingprotrusion (13) which engages with holes into the chassis (1) ill orderto keep the spacer (6) totally housed in the chassis (1). Once the firstbracket is applied on the desired tooth, the next bracket is applied andall others which are necessary.

The necessary brackets may be supplied already housed in the containerready to be used. Also note that, as described for the brackets, thecontainer may even be supplied with the glue containers already filledup.

The third embodiment accomplishes with the above description, featuresand advantages of the apparatus have been given in the summary of theinvention.

Furthermore the apparatus may be simplified and reduced in size,conforming to the bracket size, to easily fit into one's hand.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details ofthe illustrated construction may be made without departing from thescope of the appended claims.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. An apparatus for applying orthodontic brackets toteeth, said apparatus comprising: a bracket container having a brackethousing defined therein, said bracket housing being configured to housea plurality of brackets; and a bracket placer positioned relative tosaid bracket housing to receive a bracket from said bracket container.28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said bracket housing isconfigured to maintain each of the brackets in said bracket housing in apredetermined orientation.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein saidbracket container includes bias means for biasing brackets in saidbracket housing forwardly toward said bracket placer.
 30. The apparatusof claim 27, further comprising a movable barrier operatively associatedwith said bracket housing for selectively releasing a bracket from saidbracket housing to said bracket placer.
 31. The apparatus of claim 27,further comprising a releasing mechanism including a movable barrierpositionable into said bracket housing to restrict forwardly passage ofa bracket in said bracket housing, said movable barrier being movable toselectively release a bracket from said bracket housing to said bracketplacer.
 32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said bracket containerincludes a chassis wherein said bracket housing is defined.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 32, wherein said bracket housing has a substantiallylinear or curvilinear shape.
 34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein saidbracket container is engageable with said bracket placer and rotatablerelative therewith to align a bracket for release to said bracketplacer.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said bracket housingincludes a plurality of slots each configured to retain a bracket. 36.The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said slots are configured to retainsaid brackets in a predetermined orientation.
 37. The apparatus of claim27, wherein said bracket container is integrally joined with saidbracket placer to form a single device.
 38. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein said bracket placer includes a releasing mechanism associatedwith said bracket housing to selectively release a bracket therefrom andto said bracket placer.
 39. The apparatus of claim 27, furthercomprising a glue dispenser engageable with said bracket container forapplying glue to a surface of a bracket retained by said brackethousing.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said glue dispenserincludes a glue reservoir and a nozzle operable to apply glue to asurface of a bracket retained by said bracket housing.
 41. The apparatusof claim 40, wherein said glue dispenser is separate from said bracketcontainer and is positionable to apply glue to a bracket automaticallyupon retrieval of said bracket from the bracket container.
 42. Theapparatus of claim 27, further comprising a position-adjusting devicefor adjusting the position of a bracket relative to a tooth before thebracket is applied to the tooth.
 43. The apparatus of claim 42, whereinsaid position-adjusting devices includes a spacer positionable with saidbracket placer to contact an edge of the tooth, such that said bracketplacer can apply a bracket to the tooth at a set distance from thecontact edge.
 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein saidposition-adjusting device is formed integrally with said bracket placer.45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said spacer projects, in oneposition, forwardly of said bracket placer and is retractable therefromto a second position inwardly of a bracket positioned for placement bysaid bracket placer.
 46. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said brackethousing is configured to store brackets sequentially therein, saidbracket container further comprising bias means engaging brackets insaid bracket housing and biasing the brackets forwardly therein towardsaid bracket placer.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said biasmeans includes a spring.
 48. The apparatus of claim 46, furthercomprising a releasing mechanism for selectively releasing individualbrackets from said bracket housing said releasing mechanism including amovably moveable barrier engaging the brackets in to resistance to saidbias means.
 49. An apparatus for applying orthodontic brackets to teeth,said apparatus comprising: a bracket placer operable to apply anorthodontic bracket to a tooth; and a bracket container operativelyengageable with said bracket placer, said bracket container having abracket housing configured to house a plurality of brackets andpositionable relative to said bracket placer to selectively release abracket to said bracket placer.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49, whereinsaid bracket housing is configured to house brackets therein in apredetermined orientation.
 51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein saidbracket container includes bias means for biasing brackets in saidbracket housing forwardly toward said bracket placer.
 52. The apparatusof claim 51, wherein said bias means includes a spring.
 53. Theapparatus of claim 52, further comprising a releasing mechanism operableto selectively release at least one bracket from said bracket containerto said bracket placer.
 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein saidreleasing mechanism and said bracket placer are integrally joined toform a single device.
 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein saidbracket container is part of said single device.
 56. The apparatus ofclaim 53, further comprising a movable barrier positionable into saidbracket housing to restrict forwardly passage of a bracket in saidbracket housing, said movable barrier being movable to selectivelyrelease a bracket from said bracket housing to said bracket placer. 57.The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a glue dispenser forapplying glue components to a bracket surface, said glue dispenser beingengageable with said bracket container to engage brackets in saidbracket housing.
 58. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said bracketcontainer is integrally joined with said bracket placer to form a singledevice.
 59. A container for housing orthodontic brackets, said containercomprising: a container body having a bracket housing defined thereinfor housing a plurality of brackets; and a releasing mechanismengageable with a bracket in said bracket housing and operable torelease a bracket from said bracket housing to a bracket placer engagingsaid container body.
 60. The container of claim 59, wherein said brackethousing is configured to house each of the brackets in a predeterminedorientation.
 61. The container of claim 60, wherein said bracket housingis substantially linear or curvilinear.
 62. The container of claim 59,wherein said bracket housing is configured to store bracketssequentially therein, said bracket container further comprising biasmeans engaging brackets in said bracket housing and biasing the bracketsforwardly therein toward said bracket placer.
 63. The container of claim59, wherein said releasing mechanism including a movable barrierpositionable into said bracket housing to restrict forwardly passage ofa bracket in said bracket housing, said movable barrier being movable toselectively release a bracket from said bracket housing to said bracketplacer.
 64. The container of claim 59, wherein said container body isengageable with the bracket placer and rotatable relative therewith toalign a bracket for release thereto.
 65. The container of claim 64,wherein said bracket housing includes a plurality of slots eachconfigured to retain a bracket.
 66. The container of claim 65, whereineach said slot of said bracket housing is configured to operativelyengage a bracket placer and release thereto, a bracket oriented in saidpredetermined orientation.
 67. A system for applying orthodonticbrackets to teeth, said system comprising: a bracket container having abracket housing defined therein, said bracket housing being configuredto house a plurality of brackets; and a bracket placer engageable withsaid bracket housing to selectively receive a bracket from said bracketcontainer, wherein said bracket placer is disengageable from saidbracket container and operable to apply the received bracket to a tooth.68. The system of claim 67, wherein said bracket container including amoveably movable barrier operatively associated with said brackethousing for selectively releasing a bracket from said bracket housing tosaid bracket placer.
 69. The system of claim 67, further comprising aglue dispenser separate from said bracket container and engageable withsaid bracket container to applying glue to a surface of a bracketretained by said bracket housing.
 70. The system of claim 67, furthercomprising a cartridge engageable with said bracket container to loadsaid bracket container with a consumable material, said cartridge beingpre-loadable consumable products.
 71. The system of claim 70, whereinsaid cartridge is preloadable with a plurality of brackets forpreloading said bracket housing upon engagement between said bracketcontainers and said cartridge.
 72. The system of claim 71, wherein saidcartridge, said bracket container, and said bracket placer are providedin a single disposable package.
 73. The system of claim 72, wherein eachsaid cartridge, said bracket container, and said bracket placer includesa distinct identifier matchable with a plurality consumables oraccessories useable therewith, wherein the plurality of consumables oraccessories include bracket types, glue, and types of position-adjustingdevices.
 74. A method for applying orthodontic brackets to teeth, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a bracket container and abracket placer; storing a plurality of orthodontic brackets within thebracket container; operating the bracket container to release anorthodontic bracket to a bracket placer; and utilizing the bracketplacer to apply the orthodontic bracket to a tooth.
 75. The method ofclaim 74, wherein said storing step includes storing said bracketssequentially in a bracket housing of the bracket container.
 76. Themethod of claim 74, wherein said storing step includes storing saidbrackets individually in each of a plurality of slots of a brackethousing of the bracket container.
 77. The method of claim 74, whereinsaid storing step includes storing each of the brackets in a brackethousing of the bracket container and each in a predeterminedorientation.
 78. The method of claim 77, wherein said storing stepincludes biasing said brackets forwardly in the bracket housing.
 79. Themethod of claim 74, further comprising the steps of operatively engagingthe bracket container with the bracket placer prior to said step ofoperating the bracket container.
 80. The method of claim 79, whereinsaid storing step includes maintaining a bracket in a predeterminedorientation corresponding with the orientation of the bracket placersuch that, upon said releasing step, the bracket is directly received bythe bracket placer and retained therein in the same predeterminedorientation.
 81. The method of claim 79, further comprising the stepsof: providing a glue dispenser; and engaging the bracket container withthe glue dispenser, prior to the step of engaging the bracket containerwith the bracket placer, to apply glue to a surface of a bracketretained in the bracket housing, such that the bracket released in saidreleasing step has glue applied thereon.
 82. The method of claim 81,wherein the bracket container includes a movable barrier operativelyassociated with the bracket housing for selectively releasing a bracketfrom the bracket housing to the bracket placer, said releasing stepincluding operating the bracket container to move the movable barrierfrom the bracket housing and permit passage of a bracket from thebracket container to the bracket placer.
 83. The method of claim 74,wherein said bracket placer includes a position-adjusting device, saidutilizing step includes the step of adjusting the bracket with theposition-adjusting device before applying the bracket to a tooth. 84.The method of claim 83, wherein said utilizing step comprises contactingthe edge of a tooth with a spacer to apply a bracket to a tooth at a setdistance from the edge of the tooth.
 85. A disposable bracket applicatorkit comprising a container for housing said brackets in a predeterminedposition and/or orientation; a release mechanism for selectivelyreleasing a bracket from the container; a bracket placer for applyingthe bracket directly to a tooth; and a retaining means for retaining thebrackets in the container so as to retain the brackets in saidpredetermined position and/or orientation until they are selectivelyreleased from the container.
 86. The kit of claim 85, further comprisingmeans for isolating one of said brackets from the others, and means forpushing said isolated bracket along a trajectory to reach said bracketplacer;
 87. The kit of claim 86 further comprising a glue dispenserdevice for applying glue components to a bracket surface; and aposition-adjusting device for adjusting the position and/or orientationof a bracket before applying it to a tooth.
 88. The kit of claim 87,further comprising a package containing each of said container, saidrelease mechanism, said bracket placer, said retaining means, said gluedispenser, and said position-adjusting device, wherein said package andcontents provide a single disposable kit.